STOCKTON - Robert Hollinshed was a youth correctional officer who lived in Stockton for 55 years.

He had no college education and, apparently, no ties to San Joaquin Delta College.

But now, 11 years after his death, a donation from Hollinshed's trust will allow more than 50 students to complete two years of higher education through Delta's Passport to College program.

The motivation for the gift isn't entirely clear. As a corrections officer and later a bailiff at the county courthouse, Hollinshed likely came across many young people whose lives might have turned out better with an education.

Hollinshed's lone survivor, daughter Lynette Hollinshed of Stockton, declined to discuss the $117,891 gift in detail. She indicated she arranged for the donation.

"He was a private man," she said. "God in heaven was able to bless me to bless Delta College and the community, and I'll leave it at that."

College officials say the donation is an example how everyday people can help - whether they're in a position to put 50 kids through college, or just one.

"I'm really in awe," said Michael Kerns, vice president for student services. "This is just a real person who had his heart, I think, in the right place to make our community a better one."

In 2006, Delta promised free tuition to 7,000 schoolchildren if they would only stay in school and take steps to prepare for college.

Those "children" are set to graduate from high school in 2014. Many are likely to qualify for state tuition waivers, but the college will have to pay about $2 million in tuition for those who do not qualify, Kerns said.

Delta's foundation is gearing up to raise the cash, he said. That's where donations such as Hollinshed's come in big.

Not that you'd have to give so much, said Delta Trustee Teresa Brown, who sits on the foundation board.

"People could donate $46 to pay for just one unit," Brown said. "If we have a whole bunch of them, that's going to be extremely valuable."